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Ansonia police: Former corporation counsel charged with DUI

By Michael P. Mayko and Tara O’Neill| on September 12, 2017

ANSONIA — A former corporation counsel for Ansonia and Derby turned himself in to police Tuesday after being advised there was an active warrant for his arrest for an alleged drunk-driving accident that took place July 29 on Franklin Street.

On that day, Kevin Blake, a 57-year-old lawyer who lives on Birchwood Drive, struck a legally parked car, and was taken to Griffin Hospital with possible head injuries, police said.

Lt. Patrick Lynch said a search warrant was obtained for Blake’s medical records, which showed his blood alcohol content was .22 — “nearly three times the legal limit in Connecticut.”

Blake was charged with driving while under the influence and released on a $500 bond pending a Sept. 26 appearance at Superior Court in Derby, police said.

Blake served as corporation counsel for Ansonia under Mayor James DellaVolpe. When DellaVolpe lost the 2013 mayoral election to Republican David Cassetti, Blake was let go. Weeks later he was hired as corporation counsel by Derby Maor Anita Dugatto, but was replaced after a few months.

In August, Blake was nominated by Ansonia Democrats to run for aldermen in the 7th Ward during November’s municipal elections. He previously served as an Ansonia alderman.

Neither Blake nor Ansonia Democratic leaders returned calls or emails this week about Blake’s status in the November election. He is currently employed as a personal injury lawyer for the Jonathan Perkins law firm in Bridgeport, according to the firm’s website.

According to police, a witness said he heard the July crash and spoke to Blake, asking the driver if he had been drinking.

“He said yes,” the witness is quoted as saying in the police report. “He got out of the car and was staggering all over and slurring his words very bad.”

A police officer also described smelling alcohol on Blake’s breath, seeing him swaying back and forth and slurring his speech. Airbags were deployed on the passenger side of Blake’s Honda SUV which struck an unoccupied Ford Fusion. No standardized field sobriety test was conducted on the scene because of possible head trauma, according to the police report.